That’s not to say that it is a two-horse race to the 2010 F1 title. Fernando Alonso, in fifth place, is just 41 points behind Hamilton with 25 awarded for a victory.

Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button in their Red Bull and McLaren cars respectively are in third and fourth places and no doubt ruing their collision at the Belgian Grand Prix.

No doubt soon Red Bull and McLaren will want to start supporting just one of their drivers, so Button and Vettel can ill-afford losing any further ground.

Don’t count out Alonso or his Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa at Monza. Their car is almost as capable as the McLaren at fast circuits; a point demonstrated by the speed trap figures from the Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Further down the field, expect the Force Indias to do well and all the new teams to struggle more than they have in recent races because their Cosworth engines appear to be a little down on power in comparison to other powerplants.

My bet for the race: It would be too easy to go for a McLaren, so I’m going to say Alonso to win in front of Ferrari’s adoring fans.